Dear Friends,
Life rarely goes according to plan, no matter where we are or what we do the unexpected always happens.
As many of you know I have had to study for a degree in order to obtain a work permit and avoid a review every time I seek an annual renewal. The Graduate School at which I am studying has been generous in its granting of time extensions for assignments in order for me to attend to my other duties but it has been increasingly difficult to keep up.
One morning I awoke to find that I was unable to use my hands. The symptoms subsided but I consulted a doctor in Addis about this and other ailments. The upshot of is that I must return to the UK in order to avoid my tendonitis becoming chronic, to alleviate the beginnings of rheumatism and to rest as I have been told that at the root of the problem is stress caused by trying to combine my work at the Mission with study.
With the Bishop’s agreement, I intend to be in the UK from the end of December until August 2019 when I will return to the Mission having completed the degree, health improved and ready to resume my duties with renewed vigour.
Fr Christopher will continue in the Mission supported by some co-workers, especially Tesfaye who will be effectively in charge of the Tamara programme. She does a wonderful job with the ladies.
Leaving the Mission now is something I had not planned but see God’s providence taking control of matters. I really look forward to returning as there is so much to be done especially for the women and children.
Our summer school has been a great success as has the work with the kindergarten and nursery children from June until now with the help of our valiant volunteers. We have seen such growth in the children which can be Tesfaye, Kate and Tamara Ladies Tigist, Claire and 
children seen in the happiness of the mothers. However, looking at the bigger picture, this is just a beginning and there is much to be done.
An example of how great the needs are occurred yesterday when Kate, a volunteer, went to collect children for afternoon class (the group that had ‘graduated’ to the public kindergarten). She found three children in the two to six age range roaming the street alone, their mothers nowhere to be seen. This is unacceptable, the things they might hear, see and experience on the street can be so detrimental.
The work with Tamara is going well but further work is needed to help these women become more effective mothers. The best way to help the children is to help their mothers. Of course having teaching professionals like Kate and Claire would enable us to make huge changes in the lives of these wonderful people. For now we must take the little steps we can but with big hopes for the future.
Each volunteer brings their gift to the Mission and I think we must receive each one precisely in their giftedness, which brings so much joy and goodness to the poor and volunteers alike. Professional or not, as long as they have ‘hearts to love and hands to serve’, as Mother Teresa used to say, they can transform the world of those we try to serve ….. ‘Preparing the Ways of The Lord’.
When I return in August I hope to find more volunteers to help us to bring God’s presence to this vast and rather neglected region of the planet; but for now I have the task of completing my studies and recovering my health.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your prayers and financial support. I urge you to continue to pray for the people of this region whose lives are so difficult and who suffer so profoundly in ways that cause me to marvel at their resilience. I constantly ask myself the question: “Why them and not me?”. Temperatures at 98 degrees…. Water is such fun for both mothers and children!
The mystery of each person’s suffering is a call to share and help in any way we can, whether by prayer and presence or to make it possible for others to do so in our name. This is what the Mission of Hope is all about. ‘Front-Line’ workers are inextricably linked to those hidden at ‘base’. We, who have the privilege of touching the poorest of the poor do so knowing that we pass on what has been placed in our hands by the sponsors and benefactors of the Mission of Hope. With those we serve we pray for you and your families, knowing that this bond of love and care reaches into Eternity!
Finally, news that Sergio, who shared in the Mission with me in Cebu, is here with us in Gode for the second time. It is such a joy to have him here with us! May the celebrations of the Birth of Christ bring you His Peace!
God Bless You, in Jesus.
Sr M Joachim